AU where FinwĂ« marries Indis first. She died giving birth to Finarfin - something goes wrong. But heâs now single parenting four kids and Indis doesnât want him to be alone (but doesnât want to come back herself.)
So he marries Miriel and several years later, FĂ«anor is born.
Emphasis on the several years later because with so many kids, Mirielâs mainly just trying to help them adjust and grow up with some stability. Finarfinâs probably in his mid teen equivalent when FĂ«anor is born.
And now FinwĂ«âs been widowed twice. Is probably convinced heâs cursed. And once again has to look after these children alone.
Now the question is does this improve the relationship between FĂ«anor and co? Or does it exacerbate the problems because with neither mother around, and especially the younger children of Indis having grown close to Miriel, FĂ«anor is seen as cursed too?
Or perhaps itâs because the older children of Indis never made it easy for Miriel and now sheâs gone. To avoid the guilt, they turn into anger. Canonically, FĂ«anor and Fingolfin share many similarities in personality and ambition, so it wouldnât be too far fetched to assume Fingolfin would find more subtle and effective ways to try and irritate and undermine Miriel.
But he didnât expect this. He didnât expect to wonder if his own anger and attempts to turn the people against her might have contributed to her fading away just like his mother. If she felt supported by her family, maybe sheâd have fought harder, had something to come back to.
Maybe he wouldnât be responsible for orphaning a child.
Much easier to ignore that though. FĂ«anorâs birth was weird anyway. Their whole stupid family is cursed and his youngest brother acting so much like her is just salt in the wound.
FĂ«anor and Finarfin would definitely share a bond I think. Finarfinâs the only one who understands what itâs like to be the thing that killed your mother. A mother who everyone loved so dearly but you never knew. With a gentler presence in his life, someone who truly relates to him (and probably had a large hand in raising him,) FĂ«anor would learn to better temper his fire. Not to hide it, but to wield it more effectively.
Having a little sibling of his own - one who relies on him so much - would probably make for a slightly different Finarfin too. Heâs still gentle and desires peace above all, but heâs got a much sharper tongue that heâs more than willing to use to defend his little brother. Against his own siblings if need be.
Heâs more firm in his stances and willing to fight (not with violence, but verbally.)
So how does this play into canon events?
Feanor in this AU probably doesnât have that same drive to prove himself as an heir so to speak, but definitely that heâs just as good as his (much) older brothers.
Also after two wives whoâve died in *Aman* thereâs a lot more scepticism regarding FinwĂ« himself. If heâs really worthy of being a King, and if heâs been cursed by Eru. The people feel sorry for his children whoâve had to suffer for his mistakes, and even before FĂ«anor is born, thereâs a growing movement to replace FinwĂ« with more âblessedâ elf.
Miriel was a godsend. Her fiery spirit and intelligence defending *her* family and putting others in their place was exactly what FinwĂ« needed. Her passion drew the people back to them and despite the controversy, she became a dearly beloved Queen in a matter of years. Her death tears all of that to shreds, and FinwĂ«âs situation becomes worse than before.
Seeing the grieving father of five holds off the worst of it for a time. But FĂ«anor grows up seeing his father hated, and both Indis and Miriel spoken of as âvictims of FinwĂ«âs greed.â
FinwĂ« adores his children. But two broken bonds leave him vulnerable and NolofinwĂ« has to step up to show their familyâs strength.
ArafinwĂ« takes the role of FĂ«anorâs primary caregiver, taking him where he needs to go. Guiding him to follow his passion. Teaching him the manners of court and warning him of the potential treachery. FinwĂ« shows his love. But he can do little else, even as NolofinwĂ« makes his⊠distaste for his youngest brother known.
And FĂ«anor starts resenting him for it.
Finarfin does resent him for it.
Findis left to live with the Vanyar after Mirielâs funeral. Why? Because she knows it wasnât FĂ«anorâs fault, just as she knows her own motherâs death wasnât Finarfinâs. But the pain is deep, and at the first sign of distaste towards her little brothers, she goes. She doesnât want to become NolofinwĂ«, resenting children who lost more than them.
Instead of giving into anger, she sits with her Uncles and comes to terms with her grief and guilt. Understanding from the elders who lived in Cuivienen that some things just happen, and no one but Eru knows why.
This means though she never returns to the Noldor, she and Finarfin get along very well, meeting every few months. She gives him advice. Is his soundboard and comforter. Helps him put aside his own pain to look after FĂ«anor and help him build some connection to his living parent.
FĂ«anor grows to admire her sharp mind and quick wit. The two often argue over philosophy and science to Finarfinâs ever increasing exasperation, but at least they get along?
Lalwen has always been attached to Fingolfin. Sheâs his greatest support and staunchest defender⊠even when she should really take a second and think. Having grown up with Miriel from the second part of her childhood to adulthood, you can tell she picked up her stubbornness. Itâs a necessary evil in a court that seeks to overthrow FinwĂ«. Itâs not so great at keeping their family together, and despite his⊠feelings towards his little brothers, Fingolfin has to restrain her at times.
Now Fingolfin and Finarfin always had a slightly hairy relationship.
Nolo was an adult when both Lalwen and ArafinwĂ« were born. Lalwen still got him as an older brother. Finarfin only ever saw him grieving Indisâ loss. Then angry at Miriel.
He himself *adored* Miriel. She raised him. She was his mother more than Indis ever had the chance to be. And though he understood, Fingolfin never forgave him for that. Never forgave him for mourning Mirielâs death more than Indisâ.
He didnât show it so much as made it clear in his distaste every time little Aro called Miriel âAmmĂ«â with all his heart. Like heâd never had another mother. Finarfin is deeply attuned to the feelings of others though and felt that distance intensely.
This tuens to Fingolfin thinking Finarfin a traitor when he spends so much time looking after and teaching FĂ«anor. Morgothâs influence starts to come in here, and he spreads whispers through the courtiers that Noloâs little brothers are conspiring against him and FinwĂ«. Those who killed their mothers can only plan to usurp if not kill him and his father too.
Now he doesnât believe that about Finarfin. He knows him too well.
FĂ«anor⊠thatâs a different story.
He knows Fëanor holds a certain resentment for Finwë. Has called him incapable to his face in the worst of his tempers. But⊠such things always hold a kernel of truth, no?
And as FĂ«anor grows to become one of the most charismatic and skilled elves Aman has ever seen, these feelings only deepen.
